Board

Julie is co-founder and co-chair of Women in Sport Aotearoa, finding the spark of inspiration when attending the espnW Global Sports Mentoring Programme in 2015. Currently CEO of Tennis New Zealand, Julie has had an extensive career as a sports administrator and is one of just a handful of women leading a National Sports Organisation. She was CEO of Netball South and the Southern Steel before moving to Auckland to lead Netball North and the Northern Mystics for five years; guiding the transition from a trans-Tasman netball competition to the domestic ANZ Premiership. Julie is also the Chair of the Auckland Badminton Association. She is a vital and prominent voice of advocacy for women and girls in the New Zealand sporting landscape.

Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair & Co-FounderProfessor, Massey University

The co-founder and co-chair of Women in Sport Aotearoa, Sarah has been involved in sport all her life, both on and off the field. She is a leader in the field of sport management, helping to establish Massey University’s academic programme, and has had tremendous influence through her research into women and leadership in sport and academia. An advocate for facilitating opportunities for girls and women in sport at all levels, Sarah was recognised as NEXT magazine’s women of the year (sport) in 2018 and was a finalist in the 2016 Westpac ’Women of Influence’ awards in the diversity category. With previous board experience at Volleyball New Zealand, Western Netball and Hockey Manawatu, Sarah has also been ‘hands-on’ at the highest level as manager of the Black Sticks women’s hockey team, and is currently working with them on a leadership development programme through to Tokyo 2020.

Louisa (Ngati Tuwharetoa me Waikato) has been a Member of Parliament since 2008 and is currently the MP for Manurewa. She was the driving force behind one of the most significant pieces of legislation in recent years with the passing of the same-sex marriage bill in 2013, and continues to be a global leader and advocate for equality, diversity and universal human rights. Louisa is the Labour Government’s spokesperson for Youth Affairs and associate spokesperson for Sport and Recreation, but first made her name on the sports field. A Silver Fern aged 17; Louisa switched codes and won the 1998 Rugby World Cup with the Black Ferns, having been named New Zealand’s women’s player of the year in the season prior.

Liz Dawson MBEDirector and shareholder of the Hurricanes Super Rugby franchiseBoard Member for several prominent sporting organisations

Liz is one of New Zealand’s pre-eminent sports administrators, blazing a trail for women in senior management and governance. Currently also holding board positions with New Zealand Cricket, the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Oceania Olympic Committee and St Kilda Football Club, Liz has played a leading role in many of New Zealand’s major sports organisations and events. She is a director and shareholder of the Hurricanes Super Rugby franchise, was part of the 2011 Rugby World Cup bid team and became the first woman to lead an Australian Rugby League club as CEO of the Adelaide Rams. With a focus on conduct, culture, inclusion and diversity, Liz’s immense contribution to sport was recognised in the 2018 New Year’s honours list when she was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

James GibsonChief Executive, Sir Peter Blake Trust

As Chief Executive at the Sir Peter Blake Trust, James leads a team tasked with delivering programmes and experiences in the name of one of our greatest New Zealanders’. In his previous role as Sport NZ’s GM of Partnerships and Communications, James led their work around women in sport as well as managing relationships with the sport sector. He has held senior roles at Air New Zealand where he developed successful partnerships with the Department of Conservation, Antarctica NZ and the Air New Zealand Queenstown Marathon, as well as managing the relationship with New Zealand Rugby and several of our leading athletes. James has a keen interest in conservation, and is also a Director of Northern Districts Cricket.

Pauline HarrisonSpecialist in executive coaching, strategy and leadership development

A champion of change for many years, Pauline is a specialist in executive coaching, strategy and leadership development. Formerly Chief Executive of England Netball, Pauline is leading the global push for more female coaches in high performance sport through the International Council for Coaching Excellence and also heads the Women’s Sport Leadership Academy programme, dedicated to developing tomorrow’s leaders of sport. She recently guided the first intake of retired New Zealand female Olympians through the programme, connecting them to a global network of over 250 graduates from 40 countries. Pauline is also the co-founder of Females Achieving Brilliance (FAB) in the UK, inspiring and empowering women to be great leaders.

Sport has shaped Kirikaiahi’s life, and she is eager to drive change so women and girls are valued, visible and influential in sport in Aotearoa New Zealand. Of Te Arawa, Mataatua, Tongareva (Cook Islands) and Tahitian descent, Kirikaiahi is an Executive Manager in the Maori Financial Solutions team at ASB Bank, joining in 2016 after working as a lawyer and tax advisor. A long-time member of the Wellington Rugby League judiciary committee, she also serves on the boards of Volunteer Service Abroad, VSA Foundation and ServiceIQ. Kirikaiahi is an alumnus of Global Women’s breakthrough leader’s programme and a founding member of the Advancement of Māori Opportunity, a values-based leadership programme.

Vacant PositionFebruary 2019 – Women in Sport Aotearoa is currently looking for a new Board Member – check out the Advert.